Human Resource Management Practices and Delivery of Justice in the Judiciary in Uganda: A case of Gulu Chief Magistrates Court.

Abstract

The study examined how staff orientation and transfers, compensation and incentives and performance management affect justice delivery in the judiciary in Uganda, using Gulu Chief Magistrate’s court as a Case study. The study specifically investigated the extent to which staff orientation & transfers, the effect of compensation and incentives and how performance management affects justice delivery in Gulu Chief Magistrate’s court. A case study design was employed and both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guide and document analysis. The key findings indicated that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between staff orientation/ induction and routine transfers and justice delivery. There is a statistically significantly influences between Compensation & incentives practices and justice delivery in Gulu Chief Magistrates’ court. There is also a statistically significant positive correlation between Performance Management and justice delivery in Gulu Chief Magistrates’ court. It is recommended in this study that Gulu Chief Magistrate’s court management should provide opportunities to discuss any placement with new staff, check staff satisfaction with their work, properly train in knowledge and skills of the job before staffs begin work. Incentives should be given depending on employees' performance, recognition of employee performance to motivate them and offer package which enables effective delivery of work. Management should endorse key performance management aspects like target setting, continued monitoring and mentoring, regular appraisals and feedback to staff improve performance and hence enhance effective and efficient delivery of justice.